Part of Marion’s police force is about to get a facelift, after councilman Mike Byford on Monday introduced a measure to paint the city’s police cruisers to match that of its newly-acquired unit.
Marion Police Chief Ray O’Neal suggested only two of the fleet, both Ford Crown Victorias like the new cruiser, receive black paint and decals to match. O’Neal will retain his unit as a white, unmarked car. The city’s remaining unit, he suggested, would soon be out of service.
When deciding upon where to have the body work done, O’Neal, with a Solomon-like wisdom, suggested the city council select each of the body shops within Marion —Browns’ Auto Body and Marion Auto Body — to paint two old cruisers like its newest. The total cost should not exceed $4,000, he said.
